Drift Of The Multiverse: [Marvel] [Resident Evil] [DC] [Bleach] [DB]

Cleo continued to stare at the massive plant in the distance as he explained the Fruit of Life he knew about.

Only then did Ethan understand that the so-called Fruit of Life resembled a small human holding a fruit, and the human-like figure beneath it was only vaguely outlined, giving the appearance of a person.

But the humanoid figure before them was already very distinct. Anyone looking at it would immediately recognize it as a plant and would describe it as a "human-shaped plant." It had a defined head and torso, but its legs appeared fused together, more like roots anchored to the ground.

"I don't know if it's just an illusion..."

After quietly observing for a while, Ethan began to feel like something was watching him.

"That thing... it feels like it's looking at us?"

Logan and Cleo stared at it for a long time but didn't notice any reaction from the strange plant. Still, they couldn't ignore Ethan's instincts and stayed cautious, continuing to watch the distant figure.

"What do we do now?"

They had come to explore the island and uncover its secrets. Now that they had found what was clearly its core, this plant, what should they do next?

"Let's figure out what this thing is."

After observing for a while and confirming that nothing strange was happening, Ethan noticed that the sensory interference and energy disturbances he had experienced on the surface had vanished. The amulet's energy had also stopped depleting. This discovery allowed him to quietly observe the situation rather than rushing up to the plant.

Remaining vigilant, they approached. Ethan didn't believe he could let down his guard just because the strange interference was gone. It could just mean a more terrifying threat lay ahead.

Even if this was the Fruit of Life that Cleo had mentioned, so what? For it to grow so massive, it either had unknown abilities or had undergone some strange mutation. Either possibility meant danger, so caution was necessary.

Thanks to their caution, they avoided the first surprise attack.

"Jump back!"

Time was tight, and there was no time to explain where the danger was coming from. Ethan simply shouted the solution.

The three, including Cleo, leapt backward the moment they heard Ethan's command. Almost at the same instant, several sharp vines burst from the ground, stabbing upward and narrowly missing them.

"Keep moving!"

After landing, they didn't stop. Following Ethan's instructions, they continued retreating and avoided another attack.

"To the right!"

Normally, people would instinctively dodge backward, but this time Ethan shouted for them to go right. Fortunately, the group reacted quickly. No one was injured by the sudden change in the vines' attack pattern.

They watched as the thick vines that had burst from the ground didn't continue forward but instead curved in an arc like a bridge, then plunged back into the soil. Cleo felt cold sweat on his forehead. These attacks revealed intelligence. The first two seemed like distractions, just to set up the third for a finishing blow.

"This thing... it's intelligent?"

It wasn't just Cleo who noticed. Logan, with his combat experience, had picked up on it as well. But Ethan didn't answer. He was fully focused on sensing the energy fluctuations to predict the next attack.

However, after waiting for a moment, he discovered that the strongest energy fluctuation was coming from the plant itself.

"It seems it realized that tactic didn't work on us and is preparing something stronger."

The moment Ethan thought this, the plant that resembled a human opened its eyes. Its green pupils gleamed with awareness, clearly indicating it was a sentient being.

"Humans. You are witnessing life."

Ethan noted that the voice didn't come from the plant's mouth like a human's would. Instead, the words appeared directly in their minds. It had used mental power to create a spiritual link and broadcast its thoughts.

This wasn't a good sign. It meant this being possessed extremely strong mental abilities. Considering the prior mental disturbances on the island, bringing others along to face this thing may have been a mistake.

Ethan immediately took out all the remaining amulets and handed them to Logan and Cleo. He wanted to ensure his teammates wouldn't suddenly turn on him mid-battle.

As for himself? Even without an amulet, he had other means of defending against mental attacks. They just weren't as convenient.

He opened the Book of Inheritance. Now that he had his own magic power, forming a magic circle had become much faster. He quickly constructed a defensive circle and applied it to himself.

Logan and Cleo watched as Ethan held up a heavy book. The pages flipped open, displaying complex symbols that formed a beautiful and intricate blue disc of energy. The disc expanded, rising above Ethan's head before slowly descending.

As it did, a ring of glowing glyphs appeared around Ethan's head. The characters connected to form a luminous band of light, rotating gently above his forehead.

The glowing circle didn't vanish but continued to fall, stopping around Ethan's waist. It expanded outward, forming another glowing band filled with mystical runes. The two rings rotated in opposite directions, one clockwise, the other counterclockwise.

"Nice trick," Logan commented. He could tell it was some form of defensive magic. Given the situation, he figured it was designed to block mental intrusion.

That was good news for all of them. As long as Ethan could protect himself, even if they were mentally compromised, he could still find a way to get them out of danger.

After reinforcing his defenses, Ethan didn't put away the Book of Inheritance. Instead, he began constructing a new, more complex magic circle. This spell required significantly more magic. He usually avoided using his full power, but as he cast the spell, magical light flared from his wrists and ankles.

"Ready?"

Ethan closed the Book of Inheritance and nodded. He was prepared to fight. He kept the book in his left hand and pulled out his staff with his right. The gem at the top glowed brightly, a sign that its energy had been fully activated. At any moment, Ethan could launch a powerful energy attack.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

Physically, Ethan wasn't strong. But he never forgot that his greatest strength didn't lie in his body. With magic, many of his weaknesses could be covered or even turned into advantages.

"What now?"

"Let's try talking first?"

The creature had launched an attack without warning, but it was now communicating. Ethan didn't think talking would resolve things, but he was curious. He wanted to know what this being was and if it would give him any answers.

"What exactly are you?"

The plant-like entity responded, though its answer was cryptic.

"I am life."

Life?

Logan and Cleo looked at each other, clearly confused. Only Ethan had a vague suspicion. He believed this thing might be an evolved or mutated form of the Fruit of Life, perhaps influenced by some unknown factor.

Perhaps his intense mental activity had drawn attention. The creature known as Life glanced at Ethan, and in the next instant, Ethan felt an energy trying to invade his mind. It was blocked by his defensive spell. The glowing ring on his forehead spun faster for a moment, then returned to normal.

After its failed attempt, Life showed no anger. Instead, its next words made all three tense up again.

"Humans. As a reward for reaching this place, you will become true life."

As the words echoed in their minds, plants began to sprout from the cave floor at incredible speed. Most of them bloomed in seconds.

What had once been a barren cave was now a vibrant garden. The air filled with the thick fragrance of flowers and herbs.

"Fake! That scent is poisonous!"

Ethan was wearing his magic suit, and the hood itself had a partial filtering effect. Cleo was in a similar state. Ethan noticed a faint ripple of energy around Cleo's face as the toxic fragrance hit. His armor's protection seemed comprehensive. The unprotected-looking head was actually shielded by an energy layer. That probably explained how he had been able to breathe underwater earlier.

Only Logan, who wasn't wearing anything special and had relied on Ethan's underwater breathing spell, suffered from it.

His self-healing factor constantly fought off the toxin-laced floral scent. Though clearly uncomfortable, he didn't fall. And being poisoned outright? That was never going to be easy for Wolverine.

This so-called "Life" had unleashed a powerful move, only to find that all three remained standing. Logan coughed a few times, which gave it a little dignity.

Even that mild reaction disappeared after he drank a small potion.

(To be continued.)

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